Black Hollow Sun solar farm in northern Colorado is now online, delivering renewable energy to homes and businesses in several cities.
SEVERANCE, Colo. — The largest solar energy project located in northern Colorado is officially online and delivering power to homes and businesses.
Platte River Power Authority announced that the new solar farm, called Black Hollow Sun, is located just northeast of Severance, northwest of Greeley. Spanning approximately 1,400 acres, the project will supply renewable energy to PRPA customers in Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland.
“We’re currently pulling energy from the panels as we speak,” said Severance Mayor Matt Fries. “There were enough employees out there building the solar farm; it looked to me like its own city.”
The solar farm is being developed in two phases. With Phase I now operational, the site is already generating power for tens of thousands of homes. Once Phase II is completed in 2026, it’s expected to serve around 70,000 homes and businesses in the area. That’s according to Platte River Power Authority.
The project began when a private solar company approached local landowners with a proposal. That company, ContourGlobal, is based in Europe—and Black Hollow Sun marks its first renewable energy project in the United States.
Driving through Severance, it’s hard to miss the town’s famously quirky slogan: “Where the geese fly and the bulls cry.” It’s a nod to its unique past.
“We’re famous for Rocky Mountain oysters back when Bruce Ruth owned the bar—and goose hunting,” said longtime resident Tim Carter.
Now, a massive solar array is adding to the rural area, just north of the town’s character and landscape.
“Yeah, the solar farm—that sounds like it’s going to be pretty cool,” Carter added.
Platte River Power Authority said it is purchasing renewable energy from ContourGlobal to help meet growing energy demands with clean energy solutions.